Charcoal Club Photograph and Ephemera Collection, PP288

Finding Aid to the Charcoal Club Photograph and Ephemera Collection, PP288

H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society

Collection summary

Title

Charcoal Club Photograph and Ephemera Collection

Creator

Charcoal Club

Call number

PP288

Inclusive dates

ca 1890s – 1968, not dated

Bulk dates

1891 - 1931

Extent

1 box

Abstract

This collection contains photographs and ephemera related to the Charcoal Club, Baltimore’s famous and long running arts club established in 1883. The club’s annual “Bal des Arts” was a celebrated social and artistic event in Baltimore. Items in this collection were transferred from MS 1792, Charcoal Club School of Arts Records.

The Charcoal Club, Inc. of Baltimore was formally inaugurated in 1885, although there is mention of its existence in 1883.

One of the prime reasons for its inauguration was the prudery of Baltimore residents, who felt that drawing from the nude was indecent. Nude females and males (the former hard to get) were provided for sessions at various locations in the city. For many years it was a flourishing society, and contained many well known figures in Baltimore life. Perhaps the most famous was Dr. Adalbert Volck (1828-1912) the Baltimore dentist and famous local artist.

The Club assisted in the formation of the Sketch Club, The Bal des Arts, and the Art Club of Baltimore.

For some years the wealth of the members enabled the Club to meet in somewhat palatial but gradually (and particularly in the 1930's) membership dwindled, and for a time there was a likelihood that it would cease. As of 2014 the club still meets, and is the second longest running arts club in the nation.

Scope and Content

The Charcoal Club Photograph and Ephemera Collection contains photographs and invitations related to the Charcoal Club of Baltimore dating from the 1890s to 1968. The collection is broken down into two series:

Series I: Photographs

This series consists of 14 photographs of Charcoal club members, events, and exhibits. The photographs date from the 1890s to 1968.

Series II: Invitations

This series consists of 11 invitations to events sponsored by the Charcoal Club dating from 1920 to 1931. Most are for the annual Bal des Arts. Charcoal Club artists drew the illustrations for the invitations and are identified in the container list below.